Gender
Example: Farmer Field Schools in Mali
OIRED incorporates gender as an integral part of all of its projects. This doesn't mean simply that "women are included." Both women and men are encouraged to look at their roles in assessing problems, devising appropriate technologies, and implementing solutions. Study after study shows the failure of development projects that do not specifically target women.
Women do more than 50% of all agricultural labor in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, women farmers have extremely limited access to technical expertise. This results in lower agricultural production and over-enthusiastic use of pesticides. This in turn increases environmental pollution, lowers food security, and affects related health issues.
The Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) Mali site has developed farmer field schools for women which are adjusted to women's time and mobility constraints. In farmer field schools, they learn to think and reason about agricultural principles.
The result? Women become more self-reliant, analytical, and more self-confident. The increased production at lower cost results in increased income and greater food security for the family. This leads to better health and educational opportunities for the children and a higher standard of living.
A scientist examines a tomato plant infected by Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus.